Does it matter that they were in different shops? That they were different products? In other words, if one shop sold both products, would she still buy one and not the other? and conversely, if the same product were sold in both shops (and that "thing" were true of it), would she buy it in one but not the other?

That "thing" that is true, is it inherent to the product? Or does it have to do with how it is marketed (like whether there is a "buy one, get one free" deal)?

Does it matter that they were in different shops? NoThat they were different products? Yes, though the products could be very similarIn other words, if one shop sold both products, would she still buy one and not the other? Yes she wouldand conversely, if the same product were sold in both shops (and that "thing" were true of it), would she buy it in one but not the other? No

That "thing" that is true, is it inherent to the product? YesOr does it have to do with how it is marketed (like whether there is a "buy one, get one free" deal)? No

Bathroom items, such as shampoo, or conditioner, or razors? Food items, some of which can be stored for a long time, others of which should be eaten soon?

Items for the car: gasoline, rotor, oil job, brake job, anything similar? There are actually many items it could be, the exact product is not relevant. Of those, food items could be correct (though storage time is irrelevant) but probably not the others.

Did she choose to be seduced by the advertisement? Noish(Perhaps both items are good, but she liked the advert better?) No

Did the weather change her mind? NoWas it sunny? Was it rainy? Was it hot enough that she would buy a new item? Was it cold enough that she would buy a new item?

Does it have to do with whether it is "locally grown"? Maybe where she lives, one of the products is in season, while the other isn't? so she'd want to buy the local one of the thing that's in season, but the one that's out of season from elsewhere?

Does it have to do with whether it is "locally grown"? Maybe where she lives, one of the products is in season, while the other isn't? so she'd want to buy the local one of the thing that's in season, but the one that's out of season from elsewhere? No but good thought

Do you disapprove (a little / a lot) that she is so dainty? No - I didn't put that much thought into the title to be honest, I just liked the Little Miss books when I was younger :-)There is decent reasoning behind her decisions.

You said "Noish" when I asked about the advertising. Is the advertising generally successful? Does she usually consider the advertisement when she shops? See the answer to Shez's question below

If Mary went to the store with her friend, her sister, or her mother, would she still make the exact same purchases? Yes Would she feel that she needs to explain why? Possibly, but not necessarily

Or is this product something that is generally sold everywhere? It could be one of many products, but let's say it is something that it available everywhere

Is it a bit more expensive? A bit less expensive, then the ordinary item? Irrelevant, assume they are the same price

I'm having fun with this. Good Can we bring Austin Powers in, eventually? JK! The more the merrier ;-)

is it not so much advertising as packaging? labelling? Hmm...yope? It's not the packaging or labelling itself that is important, but...

Of the 5 Senses, is any particular one important in her decision? Sight? (which includes sexy advertising, colors, etc.) Probably thisHearing? But potentially thisSmell? Touch? Taste? None of the others

Or, wait, did a friend suggest this product? No

Does the time of year influence her? No

Does an upcoming trip influence her? No

Does the acquisition of a pet, or a new friend, or a husband, or an enemy influence her? No to all

Hint (because I'm going away soon): the advertising/packaging/labelling is only relevant because it lets her know something that influences her decision as to whether or not to buy. You've already figured out that the country of origin is relevant, as is fair trade and/or method of manufacture - can you put it together?

When I think of fair trade, the main definition that comes to mind is that farmers are paid almost directly from the manufacturers of the product being sold, instead of being several steps down on the chain, meaning that they get a much higher percentage of the $ from the sale than normal. Is this definition of fair trade at all relevant? Other components of fair trade certification sometimes include the following. Are any of these relevant: worker safety? quality of working conditions? reasonable number of working hours? relationship of the company to the nearby towns/villages? environmental stewardship?

Was Product 1 (which she did not buy) made by children? Did she suspect it might have been? Because of the country of origin? If not made by children, then grown by children? Harvested by children?

Are orphans relevant?

Did she purchase Product 2 because she approved of some aspect of how it was made? Because of how the profits from it would be used? Was product 2 made by people with some sort of disability? Was it made by people at all? Perhaps animals?

did she buy something specifically because it would benefit people involved in it's manufacture? Yes in making/gathering the raw materials? in cleaning/preparing the product? in packaging the product(s)? Could be any of these

Was it NOT made by child labor? And clearly labeled as such? But for some reason she wanted the one made by children? Not this

When I think of fair trade, the main definition that comes to mind is that farmers are paid almost directly from the manufacturers of the product being sold, instead of being several steps down on the chain, meaning that they get a much higher percentage of the $ from the sale than normal. Is this definition of fair trade at all relevant? YesOther components of fair trade certification sometimes include the following. Are any of these relevant: worker safety? quality of working conditions? reasonable number of working hours? relationship of the company to the nearby towns/villages? environmental stewardship? Could be all

Was Product 1 (which she did not buy) made by children? MaybeDid she suspect it might have been? YesBecause of the country of origin? YesIf not made by children, then grown by children? Harvested by children? The specifics are not really relevant, we'll say made by children

Are orphans relevant? No

Did she purchase Product 2 because she approved of some aspect of how it was made? YesBecause of how the profits from it would be used? YesWas product 2 made by people with some sort of disability? NoWas it made by people at all? Yes Perhaps animals? No

Sorry for the delay in answering, I've been away. I think the pieces are all there now, just need to be put together, if not I'll spoyl soon.

**SPOILER** In one shop, Mary refused to buy a product because its country of origin made her fear that it may have been made unethically. In the next shop, there was a product from the same country but this one was made as part of a scheme to help the producers and make sure they get a fair deal, thus she bought it because she wanted to help them.